Analysis
The objectives of this survey were to get the public's opinion regarding our topic as well as to see how prevalent the issue is and its impact of the people. Also, we wanted to compare the perspectives of the respondents and look at how much their culture shaped their points of view on this issue of men and women.
In order to get a comprehensive and global account, our team has polled respondents from different parts of the world. With a total of 138 individuals surveyed, we have divided the respondents according to their area of residence and their age. This is because we want to consider the different perspectives resulting from different environments and socio-cultural systems. Although we have only surveyed a limited number of people, we have taken this number to be representative of the respondents' bigger communities respectively, and indeed we have obtained some very telling results. In total out of the 138 surveyed, 100 were from Asia, 31 from the continent of America, 5 from Europe and a unique 1 from Africa. This pool of respondents is of a young age group with 100 respondents between 16-25 years old. Also, out of the 138 individuals whom we have surveyed, 50 are male respondents while 88 are female respondents. Therefore, we have a better representation of the female's perspective as compared to the male's perspective.
Conclusion 1- Traditional Stereotyping is Still the Norm
| Results for Traits associated with men | Results for Traits associated with women | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Top three stereotypes most associated with Men and Women | ||
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Trait | Strong (104) | Delicate (97) |
| 2nd Trait | Egoistic (97) | Meticulous (78) |
| 3rd Trait | Aggressive (95) | Fragile (71) |
| Top three stereotypes least associated with Men and Women | ||
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Trait | Submissive/Delicate (5) | Careless/Aggressive (11) |
| 2nd Trait | Fragile (7) | Egoistic (15) |
| 3rd Trait | Meticulous (8) | Strong (22) |
As we can see, male and female behaviour and characteristics are still traditionally defined in our minds. It is interesting to note that the traits mostly associated with male are antithetical to female and vice versa. Out of the 138 surveyed, 78 feel that women are meticulous while only 8 feel that men are. 68% feel that men are aggressive while approximately 92% think women are not aggressive. To compare opposing characteristics, 91 respondents think that men are tough whereas 97 of them chose to associate women with the term delicate'. Men are also more deemed to be active and taking charge, with 78 of the surveyed expressing that men are active while only 11 feel men are passive.
Evidently, stereotyping still exists in today's society. As the surveyors are mostly teenagers or young adults, we can see that even our new generation of kids still prescribe to traditional notions of male and female. These mindsets and mentalities that remain deep-seated and comfortable in society are not outdated or of the minorities. These notions are also not typical of a particular sex as the number of respondents shown for the traits which are mostly associated with male/female are way above the 50 male respondents that we have. Many of such pre- conceived notions are reinforced by images that bombard us everyday (See article on Gender Stereotypes - In the media). While there is a need for men and women to compliment each other's differences, we also need to help each other break out of stereotypes. As one student interviewee said, everyone is different and cannot be only defined by whether he or she is a male or female.
Conclusion 2- Stereotyping is Due to Biological Functions and Social Conditioning
| Stereotyping is due to: | |||
| Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Functions | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| Social Conditioning | 14 | 15 | 29 |
| Both | 32 | 66 | 98 |
| Asia | Europe | North America | South America | Africa | Unclassified | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Functions | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Social Functioning | 22 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Both | 70 | 4 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Regardless of sex or continent, people believe that the stereotypes which they prescribe to are due to both biological functions and social conditioning. This is of course not unreasonable since such stereotypes are derived mainly from biological function. However, social conditioning has played such a huge role that many do not dare to differ from these preconceived notions. This social conditioning is manifested in how the respondents have chosen the various traits to prescribe to men and women respectively.
Conclusion 3- Overall, there should be Gender Equality
| Results for the question of a dominating gender in society | |||
| Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males | 9 | 19 | 28 |
| Females | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Gender Equality | 40 | 68 | 108 |
| Asia | Europe | North America | South America | Africa | Unclassified | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Females | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Gender Equality | 72 | 5 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
We can see that overall, people feel that there should be gender equality. This modern perspective is not surprising even though we still retain many of our traditional stereotypes. People feel that regardless of polarizing traits of the two sexes, there still should be equality. Even so, it is surprising to note that 19 females and 9 males feel that males should be the dominating gender in society. More females are traditional on their outlooks; they are willing to take on a subservient role as compared to males.
A Comparison of Asian and Western PerspectiveTo look at the Asian as opposed to the Western perspectives here, we have to consider that Asians have a higher representation than Western respondents in the survey results. However, there still are discrepancies between the Asian and Western thought, something that is evident in both the survey results and our further research.
In general, majority of the respondents feel that there should not be a dominating gender in society and in today's world, gender equality is the best social system. 97% of the surveyed in Western countries and 72% of the Asian respondents agree with gender equality. However, to isolate the results collated in Asia alone, 27% of the surveyed feel that males should dominate while only 1%, which is equivalent in our survey to 1 person, feels that females should dominate. The percentage of people who think males should dominate society in Asia as compared to the 2% in Western countries is grossly disproportionate.
As can be seen, there are stark differences between the Asian and Western outlook on this issue. Asians have generally been viewed as conservative and backward, with the strong influence of Confucianism which dates back to a few thousand years ago. The firm status of women, as indoctrinated by Asian values, is lower than that of men. Also, women are confined in the home while men go out to work. The patriarchal system that still dominates today (See Female Oppression - China) creates a need for Asians to break out of such mindsets and improve the lives of both women and men.
Conclusion 4- Overall, roles of men and women within the family and society have changed
| Roles of men and women within the family and society have changed over the years | |||
| Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongly Agree | 12 | 24 | 36 |
| Agree | 30 | 58 | 88 |
| Not Sure | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Disagree | 8 | 6 | 14 |
| Strongly Disagree | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asia | Europe | North America | South America | Africa | Unclassified | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strongly Agree | 24 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Agree | 65 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Not Sure | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Disagree | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Strongly Disagree | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In this struggle of men and women, much has changed since the beginning of time. The general trend is that men and women are no longer confined to their prescribed roles and responsibilities. Women, especially, are now free to explore both the female and male domain. It is no longer taboo in modern society for women to take on the more active and aggressive role while some men fade from the scene to enter the domestic arena. In fact, some respondents even feel that with "more education for females, more female participation in the workforce, women are expected to hold more responsibilities."
Even so, we have 11% of Asian respondents whom feel that the social roles have not changed much. Asia is a continent that is developing unequally. Some countries such as Japan and Singapore are developed, while others such as China and Vietnam are still developing. As countries develop, we see an increasing trend of people modernising. This means to say that they are more open to new ideas and in fact, view personal rights and equality as importance. Therefore, it is possible that these minority respondents are living in a traditional society which still views patriarchy as the natural order. Certainly, it is possible that these respondents are living in a modern society and feel that our social roles have not changed much.
Overall Conclusion
Men's Movement and Feminism are big names that make headlines. They alter the course of history and provide us with new perceptions. However, as much as we know about them, and as much as we become accepting of "radical" notions, the truth is, we still retain some of our old and age-long perceptions such as stereotyping. However, to fully emancipate both men and women and ensure complete gender equality, mankind needs to be freed from the shackles of stereotyping. We need to give each other the complete freedom for individualism and respect each other for our differences to achieve the desired state of balance. Even so, the world is taking little steps towards gender equality. As our social roles become more flexible, people are becoming more acceptable. As we re-evaluate what drives our stereotyping and beliefs, perhaps we will be able to alter it with time.
Below this, we have all the responses that we gathered from qn 7 for your perusal if you are interested to know more about public opnion.
How have the roles of men and and women in the family changed over the years?
- Role reversal - some husbands dont mind staying at home to take over the domestic needs of the household, and female spouses are able to have a more aggressive career.
- Women have been given more power in the workplace and in politics while it is no longer taboo for men to stay at home and to be well-versed in the domestic arena. It is a huge change in mindset. However, much still needs to be changed.
- Women are taking up more roles which are perceived to be "mens roles" in the past, e.g. in the politics, military and economic aspects, and can do as well as the men. Hence with these successful women, more and more other women are taking on more active roles esp. in management levels.
- Both men and women have an income instead of the male being the sole breadwinner.
- There is no clear-cut definition of what is expected of a person of a certain gender, and as such people end up doing whatever they want regardless of "prescribed" gender roles.
- Women are no longer perceived as child bearers while men are no longer seen as the sole breadwinner at home.
- More education for females, more female participation in the workforce, women are expected to hold more responsibilities.
- Girls are now allowed to pursue what they want to do in life. They go out and work and hold jobs and high-ranking positions! Just like men do!
- Back in the 1800s men used to be known as the "businessman" and women couldnt even discuss business issues with men. They werent allowed to work because they were women. But now everything has changed. You see Hillary running for president, women having an education and going to work.
- Women are becoming more active in society compared to the past, where most women were being supported by men.
- The status of men and women are starting to change. Of course, not everyone has changed but were slowly starting to. Back in the days, since when do men cook? Now believe me, some men are way better cooks than you can imagine, and women, we are rising in society. Open up your eyes and look at Hilary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. Roles are starting to change.
- The ability of women to have a voice in the government. Women work with men rather than staying at home. Men are not the only parents in a family to bring home a paycheck.
- Men have become more accepting to women taking on larger roles in society.
- More women have begun to assume leadership positions and achieve financial independence.
- In our society in the past years, the men went to work and the women stayed home and took care of the children, cooked and cleaned. The family unit seemed stronger during this time with less divorces and single-parent families. Now, everyone leads such a hectic lifestyle. Both parents work, the children are involved in many activities and there is little time for the family to spend at home together.
- Men are no longer the sole breadwinner of the family, women in some families work and help support the family. Household chores and caring for children are no longer the responsibility of women solely, men in some families share the burden. However men are still the main source of income for the family, and women are still the caretaker of the family, in a majority of families.
- For the families in my social circle, most of the house chores are done by men. Although social assumption is that women are supposed to cook, it doesnt happen nowadays too. In fact most of the women that i know dont even know how to cook or even recognise if water is boiled or not.
- I think that it is entirely fair that women, from being the traditional housewife, move to the working industry. It is nothing immature to be a househusband as the main aim is to provide the best upbringing for the child. This answer is with respect to the changing roles of men and women within the family only.
- In Western society men and women are treated equally, especially in front of the law. But still, there is some discrimination, for example concerning the income disparity or the traditional role of women as mothers and housewives.
- Men and women seem to exchange roles more often with respect to the home and family duties. The functional lines between the genders are getting more blurred as equality becomes more prevalent, especially in two-income families. This is a good sign.
- Power structure within the family has changed such that the women do not necessarily take on subservient roles (i.e. stay at home)
- Females have become slightly more emancipated, but not very much.
- There is a lack of respect for a womans traditional role in the household as well as a lack of respect for a man as the head of a household.
- Women can take on the job of providing for the family in many ways that a man can, such as creating their own business or becoming an athlete, while a man can now take on "womanly" jobs such as nursing, babysitting and even staying home to take care of the kids.
- Women couldnt play the sports that the men were able to and now they are able to compete as equals.
- In the past, the women were to stay at home, do whatever she needs to do e.g looking after parents, kids and doing household business. However, in recent years, women prove to be as capable, or in some cases, more capable than man in some aspects, and certain jobs are more suited for women due to their gentleness and caring thought.
- The roles of women in the family have not changed much; they still take care of the child and do the household chores, and sometimes cook. However, many other women have risen to influential positions in the society. They used to stay at home all the time and let the men do the money-earning, but now I think many more women prefer to support themselves, or at least play a part in helping to put food on the table for the family. Hence while most women were merely housewives in the past, many more women have become working people presently and have also become influential in society.
- Nowadays, although there remains certain social expectations of men and womens roles in society, it has, on the whole, taken steps towards being more liberal. Gender discrimination against women has eased up, even if its only a little in some areas. Men are also beginning to take up roles of stay-at-home fathers. Of course, the numbers are not many, but there is still such a growing trend. Perhaps it can be considered a growing acceptance of gender equality.
- The women are not the only ones who are expected to look after the family/household matters and it is socially acceptable for a woman to go to work. Although it is still rather uncommon to find stay-home dads, there is no strictly followed "code" right now.